Galesburg Alderman Pushes for Tighter Speed Limits on Curvy Road

City moves to lower speed limit on South Lake Storey Road, but one alderman wants more safety measures on curves.

Apr. 7, 2026 at 2:00pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A serene, cinematic painting of a solitary stop sign on a curving road, with warm sunlight and deep shadows creating a contemplative, almost melancholy mood, conceptually representing the challenges of traffic safety in a local community.As Galesburg works to address safety concerns on South Lake Storey Road, a nostalgic painting evokes the quiet tension of a curvy, sun-dappled street.Galesburg Today

The Galesburg City Council is moving to lower the speed limit on South Lake Storey Road from 45 mph to 35 mph, following a fatal crash in 2025 and ongoing concerns about excessive speeds. However, one alderman is calling on the city to push Knox County, which has jurisdiction over the road, to also implement advisory 25 mph speed limit signs on the curves to improve safety.

Why it matters

South Lake Storey Road has been the site of safety concerns due to high speeds and a fatal crash in 2025. The city's actions to lower the speed limit and increase enforcement aim to address these public safety issues, but one alderman believes more can be done to protect drivers on the curvy sections of the road.

The details

The city is moving to formally adopt the 35 mph speed limit that Knox County has already implemented on South Lake Storey Road. However, Seventh Ward Alderman Steve Cheesman is pushing for the city to also request that Knox County install advisory 25 mph speed limit signs on the curves of the road, arguing that a further reduction is needed to make the curves safer. The city's Traffic Advisory Committee has previously recommended these advisory speed limits and increased enforcement along the stretch.

  • In November 2025, a fatal crash occurred on South Lake Storey Road.
  • In March 2026, Knox County changed the speed limit on the road to 35 mph.
  • On April 6, 2026, the Galesburg City Council discussed the speed limit ordinance on first reading.
  • A final reading and vote on the speed limit ordinance are expected at the April 20, 2026 City Council meeting.

The players

Steve Cheesman

A Galesburg alderman who is calling for the city to push Knox County to implement advisory 25 mph speed limit signs on the curves of South Lake Storey Road, even as the city moves to formally adopt the 35 mph limit.

Aaron Gavin

The Director of Public Works for the City of Galesburg, who said the Traffic Advisory Committee has recommended increased enforcement along South Lake Storey Road.

Knox County

The county that has jurisdiction over South Lake Storey Road and has already changed the speed limit signage to 35 mph.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“I disagree with keeping it at 35 mph all the way, especially going into the curve. I think a speed reduction would make it much safer.”

— Steve Cheesman, Seventh Ward Alderman

“The Traffic Advisory Committee has also recommended increased enforcement along the stretch. The Galesburg Police Department is aware of the recommendation and will likely increase enforcement as staffing allows.”

— Aaron Gavin, Director of Public Works

What’s next

The Galesburg City Council is expected to hold a final reading and vote on the speed limit ordinance at their April 20, 2026 meeting.

The takeaway

This case highlights the ongoing challenges cities face in balancing traffic safety concerns with driver convenience, as well as the complexities of jurisdictional authority over local roads. The alderman's push for additional safety measures on the curves of South Lake Storey Road shows a commitment to prioritizing public safety, even if it means further reducing speed limits.